International Film Festival For Children And Youth Zlin

British actress Jodie Whittaker is the first of many international guests to be announced who will be coming to the Zlin Film Festival in the Czech Republic later this month to help fete the Festival on its 50th anniverary.

Whittaker has previously been seen at the Zlin Film Festival before, albeit only on the big screen. Two years ago, the Festival screened the screen comedy ST. TRINIAN'S in its Competition Section. This year, Whittaker appears in two films screening at the event:  ST. TRINIAN'S 2: The Legend Of Firttn's Gold, opposite Oscar nominee Colin Firth, and THE KID, shot by actor/director Nick Moran, known for his role as Scabior in the newest installment of the Harry Potter series. She is featured in 3 more films to be released this year.

The 28-year-old actress first made her name on the stage, after studying at the famed Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. She made her first impression in a theater production of the play The Storm at the historic Globe Theater (where Shakespeare staged most of his theatrical productions).  She is perhaps best known to film audiences for her big screen debut opposite legendary film actor Peter O'Toole in the comedy VENUS (2005), a role for which she was nominated as Best British Newcomer by both the British Independent Film Awards and the London Critics Circle Awards.

For more information on this dynamic young actress, visit her fan site: www.jodiewhittaker.com. For more information on this year's Zlin Film Festival, visit: www.zlinfest.cz/en

Sandy Mandelberger, Festival Dailies Editor